…. after a busy day, the nocturnal rattling of mice in your one-room wooden house does not bother you, perhaps because we get used to it over time. The day starts early in the tropical islands, there is a lot of work to do and the most enjoyable hours are in the morning, as it is the coolest time of the day.The white beaches are empty in the morning, you walk under the coconut trees and reach the ocean after 6-7 steps at most.When the crabs that come ashore to roam at night and notice you, they rush to return to their homes with quick steps. And slowly the sun starts to burn…
Yes, I know it sounds like a romantic dream, but is it really? KohRong Sanloem island in Cambodia is one of the islands I have lived and worked on so far. Life on small islands, however fantastic it may seem, may not be the right lifestyle for everyone. If you don’t have a boat of your own, knowing that you can’t leave the island whenever you want can sometimes cause a feeling of being trapped, especially if you haven’t left the island for a long time. I think this is the biggest problem in the long run.
If we look at the social life, since KohRong Sanloem is a tourist island, there are a lot of visitors from the mainland during the day.Apart from that, of course, there are travelers who come and stay on the island for 3-5 days.But at the end of the day, most of the friendships you make here remain secondary relationships.So it’s not much different from someone you met on the bus and chatted a little. Unlike KohRong island, which I will talk about in another article, Sanloem island has a quieter nightlife. There are bars and restaurants along the beach where you can have fun and enjoy Asian classic fire dances. For those who live on the island, it is usually a standard day.
Cambodia is one of the countries where you will feel the least state influence. There is a police station on the island, a hammock inside the police station and 3 police officers who work overtime for the hammock. They are usually dealing with lost and stolen affairs. There is also an officer representing the army on the island. There is no security problem on the island, so there is not much need for police.
As for health, you can find a small health center. There is equipment inside that can be dressed for emergencies. Don’t expect too much, but the doctor was a calm person who spoke English.I had to go to the health center once and when I went, it was closed. Then when I looked around a little, I found the doctor hoeing the soil behind the health center. He said, “Come back later if it’s not urgent, I’m working in the garden now.” I didn’t go again.. 🙂
As for food and drink, when I first went to the island, they told me to follow the beach for food and there is something for you there. I started walking without understanding. A little later I met Uğur abi who was rolling dough on the left side. Ugur Abi is a brother who has been running a restaurant on the island for a while and thanks to him, he never refused our requests outside the menu. He even let us use his kitchen. Of course, there are different options. Especially if you like fresh tropical fruits, they are a very good option for breakfast. There are two markets on the island for basic needs. Although the product variety is limited, you can find basic needs. Just remember to check the expiration dates.
As you can see, the island has everything we need in a basic sense, an environment where you can escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life and live a quiet life. You have to be careful not to lose touch with the world while doing this, otherwise island life may be your only reality.
Peace Out 🙂
